Ahtanum Ahtanum is an aroma-type cultivar bred by Yakima Chief Ranches. Its name is derived from the area near Yakima where the first hop farm was established in 1869 by Charles Carpenter. (alpha acid: 5.7-6.3% / beta acid: 5.0-6.5%)

Cascade Cascade is an aroma-type cultivar which originated as the first commercial hop from the USDA-ARS breeding program. It was bred in 1956 but not released for cultivation until 1972. It reached its peak in 1975 when it produced 13.3% of the total American crop. It was obtained by crossing an English Fuggle with a male plant, which originated from the Russian variety Serebrianka with a Fuggle male plant.

A very popular U.S. variety, with a moderate bitterness level and fragrant, flowery aroma. Cascade is often used in highly hopped West Coast ales that have a citrus-floral hop character. (alpha acid: 4.5-6.0% / beta acid: 5.0-7.0% )

Centennial Centennial is an aroma-type cultivar, bred in 1974 and released in 1990. The genetic composition is 3/4 Brewers Gold, 3/32 Fuggle, 1/16 East Kent Golding, 1/32 Bavarian and 1/16 unknown.

A relatively new hop on the market, this hop used to be called CFJ90. Described by some as a "Super Cascade" and we tend to agree, but it's not nearly as "citrusy". Some even use it for aroma as well as bittering. Bitterness is quite clean and can have floral notes depending on the boil time. (alpha acid: 9.5-11.5% / beta acid: 4.0-5.0%)

Chinook Chinook is a bittering variety with aroma characteristics released in May, 1985. It was bred by crossing a Petham Golding with the USDA 63012 male.

A high alpha acid hop with a wonderful herbal, almost smoky character when used as an aromatic during the last few minutes of the boil when dry hoping. Excellent for hopping American-style Pale Ales, especially those brewed to higher gravities. (alpha acid: 12.0-14.0% / beta acid: 3.0-4.0%)

Columbus This high alpha variety has a pungent aroma and clean bittering. Excellent for bitter ales and American IPA styles, and can be dramatic when dry hopped. (average alpha acid: 12%)

Cluster Cluster originated from mass selection of the Cluster hop, which is an old American cultivar. It is suggested that they arose from hybridization of varieties, imported by Dutch and English settlers and indigenous male hops. (alpha acid: 5.5-8.5% / beta acid: 4.5-5.5%)

Crystal Crystal is a triploid aroma-type cultivar, released for commercial production in 1993. It originates from a seedling selection (No. 8309-37) made at Corvallis in 1983 between the colchicine - induced tetraploid 'Hallertau mf' (USDA 21397) and the diploid male downy mildew resistant aroma hop, USDA 21381M. Crystal is a half-sister of Mt. Hood and Liberty. (alpha acid: 4.0-6.0% / beta acid: 5.0-6.7%)

Fuggle Fuggle is an aroma-type cultivar selected in England as a chance seedling in 1861. It reached its peak in the U.K. in 1949 when 78% of the English crops were grown as Fuggle. It is also marketed as Styrian (Savinja) Golding in the Slovenian Republic. In the USA it is grown in Oregon and Washington State.

Superb in English-style ales, and lends a unique character not imparted by the more subtle American-grown Fuggles. (alpha acid: 3.8-5.5% / beta acid: 1.5-2.0%)

Galena Galena is a bittering-type cultivar which was bred in 1968 from Brewers Gold and an open pollination, i.e. an unknown male plant. It was released for cultivation in 1978.

Galena is the most "mellow" hop of the high-alpha varieties, and has replaced Cluster as the most widely grown US hop. The bitterness is clean and well balanced. Great general purpose bittering hop. (alpha acid: 12.5-14.0% / beta acid: 7.5-9.0%)

Golding Golding is a group of aroma-type cultivars originating in England. Over the decades, the group has been changed and widened. Mostly they have been named after villages in East Kent, (Petham, Rothersham, Canterbury, Eastwell) or hop farmers, who grew them (Amos's Early Bird, Cobbs).

English Goldings grown in East Kent, are a premium hop, called East Kent Golding and should not be confused with U.K. Goldings, which are grown in other parts such as Kent, Worcestershire, Hampshire and Herefordshire. The cultivar grown in the USA (Oregon and Washington State) is a Canterbury Golding.

The premier English aroma hop. Superb in English-style ales, and lend a unique character to fine lagers as well. This hop has a unique spicy aroma and refined flavor. (alpha acid: 4.0-6.0% / beta acid: 2.0-3.0%)

Hallertau mf Hallertau mf (Mittelfrueh) is an aroma-type cultivar which originated in Germany as a land - race hop. The original Hallertau mf in Germany has been replaced with other Hallertau types with similar quality characteristics. The name indicates that it is a middle to early ripening cultivar.

If you are looking to brew an authentic European-style lager, this is the best choice. Mild spicy flavor and aroma. (alpha acid: 3.5-5.5% / beta acid: 3.5-5.5%)

Horizon Horizon is a high alpha-aroma cultivar, a diploid seedling result of a cross made in 1970 between the USDA 65009 female plant (with Brewers Gold and Early Green lineage) and the male plant 64035M. It was released as a commercial variety in 1998. (alpha acid: 10.2-16.5% / beta acid: 6.5-8.5%)

Liberty Liberty is a triploid aroma-type cultivar, the result in 1983 of the colchicine induced tetrapcoid female cultivar Hallertau mf and a downy mildew resistant male, USDA 64035M. It is a half-sister to Ultra, Mt. Hood and Crystal. (alpha acid: 3.5-4.5% / beta acid: 3.0-3.5%)
Magnum Magnum is a bittering/aroma type cultivar, bred in 1980 at Huell, the German Hop Research Instititute, from the American variety Galena and the German male 75/5/3. (alpha acid: 10.0-12.6% / beta acid: 5.0-7.0%)

Mount Hood Mt. Hood is a triploid aroma-type cultivar, the 1983 result of a cross between the colchicine - induced tetraploid female Hallertau mf (USDA 21397) and the USDA 19058M, male plant. It is a half-sister to Ultra, Liberty and Crystal.

An aromatic variety derived from Hallertau with a refined, spicy aroma and clean bittering. A good choice for lagers. (alpha acid: 4.0-6.0% / beta acid: 5.0-7.5%)

Northern Brewer Northern Brewer is a bittering-type cultivar, bred in 1934 in England from a Canterbury Golding female plant and the male plant OB21. Northern Brewer has been used in the breeding process of many newer varieties. This cultivar is grown in England, Belgium, Germany and the USA.

Perle Perle is an aroma-type cultivar, bred in 1978 in Germany from Northern Brewer. It is grown in Germany, Belgium and the U. S. A.

Perle is a newer variety, originally from Germany but now grown quite successfully in the US. Perle is a medium alpha hop with a very clean, almost minty bitterness and pleasant aroma. (alpha acid: 7.0-9.5% / beta acid: 4.0-5.0%)

Spalt Select Spalt Select is an aroma – type cultivar, bred in Germany and released for cultivation in the late 1980's. It is grown in Germany in the Hallertau and Spalt areas and in the U.S.A. in Washington State. (alpha acid: 3.5-5.5% / beta acid: 3.0-4.5%)

Tettnang Tettnang is an aroma-type cultivar which originated in the Tettnang hop growing area of Germany as a land-race hop. It is grown in the U.S.A. in Oregon and Washington State.

The original noble hop from the Tettnang region of Germany, ideal for your finest lagers and wheat beers. This limited availability hop has a fine, pure aroma, that is not present in United States grown Tettnanger. (alpha acid: 4.0-5.0% / beta acid: 3.5-4.5%)

Tomahawk Tomahawk is a bittering hop of recent origin, bred by Charles Zimmermann. It is the first commercially grown 'Super Alpha' variety. In 1998 it contributed to 11% of the USA hop crop. (alpha acid: 14.0-18.0% / beta acid: 4.5-5.8%)

Ultra Ultra is a triploid aroma-type cultivar, originated in 1983 from a cross between the colchicine-induced tetraploid Hallertau mf (USDA 21397) and the diploid Saazer-derived male genotype (USDA 21237m). Ultra is the half-sister to Mt. Hood, Liberty and Crystal. Its genetic composition is 4/6 Hallertau mf, 1/6 Saazer, and 1/6 unknown. This cultivar was released for commercial production in March, 1995. (alpha acid: 4.5-5.0% / beta acid: 3.6-4.7%)

US Fuggle A mild-flavored English-style hop grown in Oregon, with a fragrant wood-like aroma. Milder in character than English Fuggles. This hop imparts a smooth, well rounded hop character. (average alpha acid: 3.9%)

Vanguard Vanguard is a diploid seedling made in 1982 between USDA 21285, which has Hallertau mf parentage and USDA 64037m. It was released for cultivation in 1997. (alpha acid: 5.0-6.0% / beta acid: 5.0-7.0%)

Willamette Willamette is a triploid aroma-type hop, which originated in the mid 1970’s and is a seedling of Fuggle. It is a very popular aroma hop, contributing in 1998 to 18% of the total USA hop crop.

A variation on English Fuggle hops grown in Oregon and Washington. Willamette has a fragrant spicy woody aroma. An excellent American aromatic hops for ales and lagers. (alpha acid: 4.0-6.0% / beta acid: 3.5-4.5%)

Rusty

04-20-2005, 09:07 PM

Tony, just to let you know........ I appreciate you posting this. It's a quick handy reference. I'm using it now to refine some hop choices for my next beer.

Tony

04-20-2005, 09:51 PM

You are quite welcome my friend!

This and other info is from one of my most fav sites called The Beer Advocate (http://www.beeradvocate.com/) which has soooo much info on all kinds of beers. They cover rating just about every manufactured beer out there, have all kinds of cool infor and also some ettiquette as well. Check em out!!!

Slice

04-20-2005, 10:53 PM

You are quite welcome my friend!

This and other info is from one of my most fav sites called The Beer Advocate (http://www.beeradvocate.com/) which has soooo much info on all kinds of beers. They cover rating just about every manufactured beer out there, have all kinds of cool infor and also some ettiquette as well. Check em out!!!

Tony,

Have you signed up and looked through their forums?

They have a very active homebrew group there.

Tony

04-20-2005, 11:56 PM

Tony,

Have you signed up and looked through their forums?

They have a very active homebrew group there.

I am signed up there, TonyC, but havent frequented the group yet.

HeadDoc

04-25-2005, 08:19 PM

Tony. Good work! thanks B)

gliderider94

04-25-2005, 09:03 PM

Tony, others...

As some of you might know, back in the peak period of the Victorian era, hops were used quite frequently in landscaping. Many Victorian homes of the late 1800's and early 1900's used hops plants as ornamental climbing foliage. In the resurgent Victorian renovation boom of the late 50's early 60's hops were all but forgotten as an ornamental in farvor of more colorfull climers such as climatus vines and climbing roses. My brother, a builder, bought one of the original Detroit area mansions once owned by the Dodge brothers. The once stately mansion had been left in decay for decades, but the area was experiencing a revitalization and he bought it for the land it sat on. He made a small fortune selling off the ornate light fixtures, woodwork, door knobs, leaded windows etc.. I visited the site prior to the demolition of the house and found the back of the house to be completely overgrown with what were once no doubt ornamental hops.

It was early October and I dug up several feet of rhizomes and kept them heeled in a wheel barrow behind the garage for a few months, then, just before Christmas I cut them into 8 inch lengths and planted them along the back fence from one corner of the yard to the other in locations approximatly 10 inches apart. They lazily climbed the fence for about five years and turned the chain link into a beautifully lush green piece of landscaping. I used them in brewing a few times but in as much as I had no idea what they were, I tried them in various amounts at various times in the brew sessions to varying results, but their effects were unpredictable and usually not desireable.

Two years ago we put in a pool and when I was denied a permit for a privacy fence (no explanation given), I came up with a brain storm. There are two telephone poles in my yard, one in each corner at each end of the back fence. I strung a cable from pole to pole about 8 feet off the ground and ran a drop line (heavy wool string) from the cable to each rhizome and secured each string to a tent stake in the ground. I trained the first few inches of spring sprouts to curl around the strings and nature took it from there. Now, each spring I get a 10 foot tall curtain of lush green foliage which acts as my privacy fence.

The electric company and the phone company share one pole and the other belongs to the local cable provider. I figured sooner or later one of them would insist that I take it down or even cut it down themselves when I was not there. But, each one has since climbed each pole for various maintainance reasons and never said a word. One time the cable guy started asking questions about "what type of plant is that?" and I figure the jig was up, but I never heard from anyone else about it. I'm sure some day some moron with an over inflated sense of self worth will make me tear it down, but until then I'm going to let it climb.

The old German lady in the house next door seen the hops growing and knew immediately what they were. She asked if she could have some. I said "of course, have as many as you wish" and asked her what for. She said if you make a sashey of the hops and put them in your pillow it will help clear you sinus and eleviate allergies. I tried it, it works. Also, each fall just prior to the leaves dropping off she pulls down the soon to die stalks and makes really cool looking decorative Christmas wreaths out of them.

Tony

04-25-2005, 09:19 PM

Thats some cool ass stuff Bear! I hope they never mess with you about the lines on the poles.

Plus the neighbor lady thing sounds great. I dont know about anyone else, but I love the smell of whole hops! Im trying to imagine how good the house would smell around Christmas time with a hops wreath...Hmmm

gliderider94

04-25-2005, 09:49 PM

Yes, the wreaths smell great. She has some sort of jig made out of plywood and dowel rods that looks like a craft tool my mother had when I was a kid that was used to make bows for packages. A round circle with pegs sticking up out of it all the way around, only the one for the wreaths is bigger. She makes them as soon as she pulls the stalks down and then puts them away in sealed garbage bags. Then, just prior to Christmas she decorates them and gives them away. They are very fraqgrant and smell like hops, I think the garbage bags help them retain their smell. Then, as tradition dictates (according to her) after Christmas the entire family is supposed to gather for a prayer for the new year and then you burn the wreath in the fire place. If you like the smell of burning pine you ought to smell burning hops. Amazing.

Tony

04-25-2005, 10:24 PM

Wow ....Ive seen those plyboards before when I was a kid. People used to make pine wreaths with them. Memory jolt!!!

Whats the hops smell like when you burn them?

Shit now Im gonna be burning a couple hops tonight to find out first hand!